Lansing, MI - The Peoria Chiefs got a career-high two home runs from third baseman Elehuris Montero to beat the Lansing Lugnuts 7-3 on Thursday night. The win clinches the series as the Chiefs improve to 15-10 in the second half, 54-41 overall and will go for the sweep Friday
Lansing, MI - The Peoria Chiefs got a career-high two home runs from third baseman Elehuris Montero to beat the Lansing Lugnuts 7-3 on Thursday night. The win clinches the series as the Chiefs improve to 15-10 in the second half, 54-41 overall and will go for the sweep Friday in Michigan.
After both teams went in order in the first inning the Chiefs grabbed the lead in the second against Maximo Castillo. Yariel Gonzalez led off with a double to right-center and moved to third on an errant pickoff throw by Castillo. Julio Rodriguez put the Chiefs on top 1-0 with a groundout to third base for his 35th RBI of the season. JR Davis tripled to the 407-foot sign in right-center and scored on a two-out double to right by Jose Martinez for a 2-0 Chiefs lead.
Lansing answered in the bottom of the inning against Angel Rondon. Brandon Grudzielanek drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on a single by Ryan Noda. Noda broke early for second forcing a balk on Rondon as Grudzielanek scored to cut the Chiefs lead to 2-1. Ryan Gold tied the game with a single to right as Noda scored without a throw. Rondon recorded a strikeout before Reggie Pruitt singled to put two on base and Kevin Vicuña's single to left gave Lansing a 3-2 lead. Pruitt and Vicuna pulled off a double steal but Rondon got Norberto Obeso to lineout and end the inning.
The Chiefs didn't trail long as they used the long ball in the third to regain the lead. Zach Kirtley singled with one out and Montero launched his 12th homer of the season onto the left-field concourse for a 4-3 lead.
Peoria added on in the fourth inning as Bryce Denton powered a solo home run to left-center. The blast, his seventh of the season, put the Chiefs on top 5-3.
The Chiefs added on in the seventh with a pair of unearned runs. With two outs in the inning, Kirtley reached on a throwing error by Grudzielanek. Montero made the Lugnuts pay with his second two-run homer of the night to left-center for a 7-3 Chiefs lead.
Rondon (2-0) picked up the win as he allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings for his second straight quality start. The right-hander struck out five and walked two. Kodi Whitley allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one in two shutout innings. Ben Yokley made his Chiefs debut and walked one in a hitless and shutout inning.
Notes… With 62 RBI, Montero is the first Chiefs player to drive in at least 60 in a season since three players (Chris Chinea - 63, Brian O'Keefe - 63, Magneuris Sierra - 60) did so in 2016…The 62 RBI are tied for the fourth most since the return to the Cardinals organization in 2013 when Jacob Wilson drove in 72 and Patrick Wisdom drove in 62…Montero has two straight multi-RBI games and 18 overall this season…Montero has four 2-run homers and nine solo shots on the season…The two homers are a career high and the first time a Chiefs player had two homers in a game since Julio Rodriguez hit two against Clinton May 14…Montero is tied for the MWL lead with 163 total bases, tied for second in RBI and fifth in home runs…He is the first Chiefs player this season with 100 hits and the third in the MWL to reach that plateau…Denton has at least two hits in all three games in which he has played in Lansing…He also homered in Lansing last season…Lopez leads the team having been hit by 13 pitches this season…The series concludes Friday at 7:05 p.m. Eastern time…The Chiefs will start RH Johan Oviedo (5-7, 5.11) against Lugnuts RH Graham Spraker (0-1, 2.58)…The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 5:50 p.m. Central time on www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive and is also available on the Peoria Chiefs Network on the Tune-In Radio App…The game is also available to subscribers on MiLB.TV.
